The Five Préludes (1940) are Villa-Lobos's most immediately loved guitar music — short, song-like and deeply Brazilian, each one a character study in melody and mood.
The work
Composed in 1940, the set ranges from the singing melancholy of the First Prélude to the brilliant, fast-moving Fifth. The First, with its soaring cello-like melody over rocking accompaniment, is among the most performed pieces in the entire guitar repertoire.
Why they endure
The Préludes pack a whole world into a few minutes each — which is why they suit recital and living room alike, and why nearly every guitarist learns at least one.
See the full Villa-Lobos guide and the companion Twelve Études. Explore our cedar-top guitars and try one for 14 days at home.
